The Rejected's Recognition

by Golden Flare

Rating: everyone
Tags: My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Alternate Universe, Kingdom Hearts, Other, Original Character, Mystery, Spike, Adventure, Crossover, Main 6, Drama
Length: 6496

Soon after waking up, Spike finds himself within the basement floors of Castle Oblivion and each floor makes him relive his memories, he has the chance to do things right, but little does he know that he's a pawn for a much bigger scheme...

Inspired by Pathway To Oblivion.

Spike's away on business at the Crystal Empire while the girls are having their campout back in Ponyville. All tuckered out from working, Spike decides to go to bed early and deal with the rest of his duties tomorrow. Just before falling asleep, the last thing on Spike's mind was the mistakes he made in the past with his friends...

Finding himself in a strange white room, Spike wakes up with a card in his claw and hearing a voice telling him that he is within Castle Oblivion, a place where he can relive his memories within the cards, the voice then gives him a choice: to either return to sleep and wake up back in the Crystal Castle, or tour Castle Oblivion—and his memories—at his leisure. Spike sees an opportunity, to relive his memories, redo his actions, and undo his mistakes, for him, it was an opportunity he couldn't pass up. And it all started with just one sentence:

"This seemed like a boring place to take a nap anyway."

Author's Note:
This story is not canon to Pathway To Oblivion.

Published 2016-02-10 02:20:02 UTC
Last updated 2016-02-10 02:20:02 UTC

Prologue

After finishing up a long day of paperwork, Spike sluggishly shuffles his feet to his room for some well deserved sleep as Princess Cadence follows.

"I'm so sorry that you had to help with my paperwork, Spike," she apologizes, "a princess's work is never done, you know?"

Spike yawns, "It's fine, it's all part of the job. I gotta stay on the ball if I'm gonna be Twilight's #1 assistant."

Cadence hesitates, but then asks, "Don't you think of yourself as more than just an assistant, Spike?"

"Sometimes. Twilight IS my first friend and my family."

"You didn't answer my question. Do YOU, nopony else, think of yourself as more than an assistant?"

Spike visibly flinches, "I guess...I don't know." Cadence adopted a look of surprise, "Sometimes...I really mess up, and nearly cost myself the friendships that I've made...there are times that I wish I could start over, and fix what I've done..."

Cadence then looks at the little dragon with sympathy, "Spike, I understand how you feel; I've made my share of mistakes, too. But, even with magic, you can't undo what you've done. You can only learn from your mistakes, that's what life is."

Spike sighed, "Yeah, I guess." he stopped in front of a door, "Well, this is my room, I'll see you and Shining Armor in the morning."

"Good night, Spike, and try to sleep off your worries, okay?"

"Okay. Good night."

Spike enters the room as Cadence turns and walks away. He shuffles over to his bed and hops onto it, passing out almost immediately. The last thing on his mind before sleep claim him is all the mistakes he's made in the past...

Spike began to wake up, only to find himself on a white floor instead of his bed with a light blue card in his claw. Naturally, he begins to panic.

"What the!? Where am I!?"

Don't be afraid.

"Huh!? Who's there!?"

You are within the basement floors of Castle Oblivion.

"Castle...Oblivion?"

Here, you will meet those you have already met, deep within your memories.

"My memories...?"

The card in your claw will open the door before you; a door to the one of the many days of your past.

"My...past?"

Step forth, and open the door with that card...or return to sleep, and be returned to the comfort of your bed in the Crystal Castle.

Spike started to weigh his options; either relive his past and see everyone within his memories, or go back to sleep and find himself back in his bed.

Remember, if you choose to step forth, there is no returning to the comfort of sleep. Will you still go?

He began to think that this could be the opportunity of a lifetime, he could relive his memories and correct the mistakes he made. Even if he wouldn't be able to return home, this was an opportunity he couldn't pass up. With his path set, he said one sentence to put it in motion:

"This seemed like a boring place to take a nap anyway."

That was very well said...Spike the Dragon.

The voice fell silent.

Spike then took a good look at the card he possessed, "A door to my past, huh?"

Author's Note

I apologize if this seemed a little rushed

B12F

Spike walked up the small set of stairs and to the front of the door, with the card in his claw, he raised it above his head and in a flash of light, it disappeared and the door opened, the inside shining brightly as Spike continued in.

(stop music)

~~Basement Floor 12~~

The light died down and Spike was able to open his eyes. The wind was blowing through his scales and he felt as if he was flying. He was, in a sense. It didn't take Spike long to notice that he was on a chariot, drawn by two pegasi guards.

"Huh? What?"

"Spike! Are you paying attention!?"

Spike snapped his head over to see Twilight glaring at him in annoyance.

"Uh...no?"

"Ugh! Okay, I'll say it again; I'll check on the preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration, then I'll head for the library in Ponyville, and do some research on where the Elements of Harmony are to defeat Nightmare Moon."

Oh, yeah, Spike thought, this must be the day Twilight first met the girls.

"And for the last time, the fate of all of Equestria doesn't depend on me making friends." the chariot touched down in the center of Ponyville and Twilight and Spike departed from it, "Thank you, sirs." Twilight said to the pegasi.

Spike noticed a familiar pink pony walking towards them, Might as well play along for now. "C'mon, Twilight, can't you at least try?"

Twilight was hesitant, but decided to try, "Um...hello?"

The pink pony gasped loudly and ran off. Must be setting up Twilight's "Welcome to Ponyville" party. Spike thought.

"Well, that was certainly interesting." Twilight remarked. "Alright, I've got the checklist, just follow me and let's get this done fast."

Twilight then walked off, Spike didn't follow, though, he was too busy in his own thoughts, which he spoke aloud, "So...I'm back in the past?"

What you see is not real. It is the world of your memory.

"It's you again! And what do you mean, 'world of my memory'?"

The things you remember from your first time in Ponyville became a card, and that card became this world.

"So let me get this straight; this place is a world of my memory, but it isn't real, does that mean this is some kind of illusion?"

Exactly. You'll meet everyone you've met before in your memories.

"I guess that means I really can't change the past..." Spike sighed.

Don't you see? You can change the past here.

Spike perked up, "What!? Really!?"

But it'll only be part of the illusion. You're fresh out of Canterlot, and right now, all the ponies you've met are complete strangers.

"So I can correct my mistakes, but it'll only be a fleeting moment?"

Precisely. Push forward, Spike the Dragon. Castle Oblivion awaits you.

Just then, a light shined in Spike's claw, when it faded, a gold card with a key symbol on it appeared.

"Hmm...guess I should follow Twilight and see what happens. And figure out what this card is for."

Spike went on the path to Sweet Apple Acres, where him and Twilight first headed to at the beginning of this memory. When he made it just to the outskirts of town, Spike noticed a set of double doors in the middle of the road with a crown mark floating above it. Then, an unknown voice spoke from the crown mark.

The cards you see shall be the key—

A small light glimmered in front of Spike and faded to reveal an illusionary image of the same gold card he has.

I hope the whole light show stuff won't be a regular thing. he thought, annoyed.

He raised the claw that held the gold card just above his head, just like he did with the Ponyville card, and it disappeared in a brief shimmer of light, then the door opened, allowing Spike proceed, which he did.

(stop music)

~~Key of Beginnings~~

Spike caught up with Twilight as they were on their way to Ponyville's resident apple farm.

"Spike, what took you so long?" Twilight asked.

"Uh, got lost in thought for a moment." Spike said, telling half the truth.

"Well, anyway, let's check on the banquet preparations."

It seemed to work for Twilight as she continued on the dirt path. The two made it to the farm, seeing a familiar orange Earth Pony bucking an apple tree, causing all of its apples to fall into some carefully placed wooden buckets, saying, "Yeehaw!" all the while.

Twilight sighed, "Let's get this over with." she walked up to the pony before and spoke, "Good afternoon, my name is Twilight Sparkle—"

The Earth Pony suddenly gripped Twilight's hoof and shook really enthusiastically, "Well, howdy-do, Miss Twilight, a pleasure makin' yer acquaintance! I'm Applejack! We here at Sweet Apple Acres sure do like makin' new friends!"

Spike chuckled at Twilight's situation, Ah, memories.

"'Friends'?" Twilight questioned as her voice wobbled, "Actually-ee-ee-ee, I, uh..."

Applejack then stopped shaking her hoof, "So, what can Ah do ya for?"

Twilight's hoof shook in midair for a bit until Spike stopped it for her and she cleared her throat, "Well, I am in fact here to supervise preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration. And you're in charge of the food?"

"Well, we sure as sugar are! Would ya care ta sample some?"

"Well, as long as it doesn't take TOO long."

Applejack sped off towards the house, more specifically a rusty, metal triangle, and banged on it with a spoon, "SOOOOOUP'S ON, EVERYPONY!"

Then a bunch of ponies came charging towards Twilight and Spike, the latter of whom jumped out of way and ran to the table Twilight was placed at.

Good thing I know what's gonna happen before it happens. he thought.

Applejack started naming off the members of the Apple family to Twilight as well as the apple-themed dishes they served, Spike just sat back and watched while having a sense of nostalgia. Heh-heh, it's a good thing I already ate before I went to bed, a thought then crossed Spike's mind, Why am I here? I didn't screw up anything here...did I?

You fainted, remember?

Great, now you can read my mind? And what do you mean I "fainted"? I didn't...oh.

Yes. When Nightmare Moon appeared, you passed out from the shock, and stayed asleep until it was all said and done. You didn't help Twilight, nor her friends, that day.

......

Catching on now? You have the chance to fix it, you have the chance to help your dear friends.

"Aren't cha gonna stay fer brunch?" the yellow filly named Apple Bloom asked with puppy dog eyes.

...I'd better get going. Spike thought, knowing the voice heard him.

Twilight tried to explain that they needed to get going, but reluctantly agreed to brunch with the Apple family. The next thing on the checklist was weather, which Rainbow Dash was in charge of, who also messed up Twilight's mane, much to Rainbow's amusement, but not Spike's.

Eh, it was funnier the first time. he thought.

Twilight challenged Rainbow to prove that she can clear the skies in ten seconds flat, Rainbow did exactly that, leaving Twilight in awe.

Rainbow laughed, "You should see the look on your face. Ha! You're a laugh, Twilight Sparkle, I can't wait to hang out some more." with that, she flew off.

Spike examined Twilight's mane, "You should probably get this fixed."

"You know, Spike..." Twilight began, "you seem a lot more mature than you were back in Canterlot."

"Who knows? Maybe I'm growing up."

"Maybe..." Twilight raised an eyebrow in suspicion.

The two made their way to Town Hall to check on the décor, Spike was excited because he remembered Rarity was in charge of that, but he made sure not to show it, he made Twilight suspicious enough already. There, they saw Rarity, trying to decide which ribbon to use. Spike, making sure to follow the script for now, pretended to check and see if his scales are straight. Twilight rolled her eyes and went to see the white-coated unicorn, trying to earn her attention, but she said she was, "in the zone, as it were". After choosing a red, sparkling ribbon and tying it to a nearby support beam, she turned, saw Twilight's puffed up mane, and shrieked, asking her what happened to it, Twilight said it was a long story and that she was only there to check on the decorations and she and Spike will be out of her hair.

"My hair? What about your hair?"

Rarity nudged Twilight out of Town Hall to fix her mane, despite her protests. Spike followed after them, knowing that he has to progress through the memory to get to the point where he failed to help his friends. Rarity took Twilight back to Carousel Boutique and had her try on several outfits, then began to ask her where she's from, Twilight struggled to say she was from Canterlot as Rarity tightened the saddle she was wearing, when she finally got the words out, Rarity let go and caused Twilight to go flying.

"Canterlot!?" Rarity exclaimed, happily, "Oh, I am so envious! The glamour! The sophistication! I have always dreamed of living there! I can't wait to hear ALL about it! We are going to be the best of friends, you and I!" Twilight jolted in shock at the word, "friends", Rarity got a good look at the saddle Twilight was wearing and recoiled, "Emeralds!? What was I thinking? Let me get you some rubies!"

Twilight started to run, "Quick! Before she decides to dye my coat a different color!"

Spike followed her out the door, snapping himself out of his fake love sick trance.

I love Rarity, I really do, but now's not the time to be distracted, besides everyone here isn't real.

Spike sighed happily, keeping the act up, "Wasn't she wonderful?"

"Focus, Casanova," Twilight interrupted, "what's next on the list?"

Spike cleared his throat and answered, "Music, it's the last one."

Just then, they heard harmonious music nearby, they followed it to a butter yellow Pegasus, who Spike knew as Fluttershy, conducting a chorus of birds on an almost leafless tree, but one of them was off their timing, Fluttershy stopped the birds to let the one know about its problem. As she was about to start them back up, Twilight startled them and they all flew away. Twilight apologized and tried to communicate with her, but she was too shy to speak loud enough, when the birds came back, Twilight walked back to Spike, whom of which Fluttershy noticed.

"A baby dragon!" she exclaimed.

Fluttershy rushed over to Spike, knocking Twilight away. Fluttershy began raving about Spike, all excited about meeting a baby dragon. But it was short-lived as Twilight levitated Spike onto her back and began walking away, Fluttershy, wanting to know more about him, followed them, the two introduced themselves and Spike started to tell her his life story.

After he was finished, he was about to tell her about what happened so far this day, but Twilight stopped him, letting them know that she and Spike had reached their destination. She even went as far as lying that Spike was tired, to prove it, she bucked him off her back, saying in baby talk that Spike was so tired he couldn't stand up. Fluttershy snatched him off the ground and flew in the library to put him to bed, but Twilight pushed her out and slammed in the door in her face.

Spike scoffed, "Rude much?"

"Sorry Spike, but I have to convince the princess that Nightmare Moon is coming and we're running out of time." Twilight explained, "I just need to be alone so I can study without a bunch of crazy ponies trying to make friends all the time. Now where's the light?"

Click

"SURPRISE!!"

Once the lights came on, the library was revealed to have several ponies inside, prepared for a surprise party, planned by none other than Pinkie Pie.

Predictable, Spike thought.

The party planner herself popped up in front of Twilight and introduced herself, then began rambling away about a bunch of random stuff while Twilight, unknowingly, poured herself a glass of hot sauce and drank from it, causing her to burn up.

"Are you alright, Sugarcube?" Applejack asked.

Twilight's mane appeared on fire as she sped upstairs in search of something to cool herself down, Spike inspected the bottle just like in his memory to keep up his ignorance act. Pinkie tipped the bottle to pour hot sauce onto a cupcake on the table and ate it, earning herself quizzical looks from Rarity, Applejack, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash.

"Whut? Itz guud." Pinkie mumbled with her mouth full.

Spike chuckled, Ah, the good old days. Hmm...I wonder if Twilight's alright.

Pinkie, who finished eating her cupcake, announced, "Okay, everypony! It's time for party games!"

All the ponies in the room cheered.

...Eh, she can wait a bit.

After having some fun, Spike finally decided to check up on Twilight, but kept his act in mind, "Hey, Twilight! Pinkie Pie's starting 'Pin The Tail On The Pony', wanna play!?"

"No!" Twilight responded, "All the ponies in this town are crazy!! Do you know what time it is!?"

"It's the eve of the Summer Sun Celebration, everypony has to stay up or they'll miss the princess raise the sun!" Twilight just rolled her eyes at Spike's answer, "You really should lighten up, Twilight. It's a party!"

The last thing Spike heard from Twilight were mocking sounds as he closed the door.

"Sheesh, she's more antisocial than I remember."

This world IS reflected off of what you remember.

"You again, huh? How much longer do I have to keep this up?"

Just until the point where you faint; you'll pretend to faint and let Twilight carry you back to the library, after you're put to bed and the other Element bearers arrive, you sneak out and take on the nightmare herself.

"What!? How am I supposed to fight her!? Only the Elements can defeat her! Besides, I don't even have a weapon!"

Correction: you don't have a weapon YET.

"What does THAT mean?"

All in good time, Spike the Dragon.

A small light shined in Spike's claw again and died down to reveal another gold card, but this one has a picture of a hollowed out heart.

"Which door is this card to?"

That is for you to ponder. I'm not here to hold your claw the entire time, I'm only here to guide through the memory, I'm sure you'll know what to do after you leave this floor.

"If you say so." Spike said as the voice became silent once more, he looked at the clock and saw that it was just about that time, "Welp, better go get Twilight." Spike turned back around to Twilight's room and opened the door, "C'mon, Twilight! It's time to watch the sunrise!

(stop music)

Twilight and Spike made their way to Town Hall, everypony in Ponyville entered the building, except for Spike, who discovered the door was stuck.

"Hey, what gives?" he said, then, as if a lightbulb flicked on in his head, he looked above the doorframe and saw the same crown mark from the door to Sweet Apple Acres, and it revealed another illusionary image of the gold card with the hollowed out heart picture.

The cards you see shall be the key—

"Alright then." Spike held the card above his head and it vanished in a glimmer of light with the door opening shortly afterwards, Spike entered without hesitation.

~~Key of Guidance~~

The building was filled with ponies, which made it difficult for Spike to maneuver around to find Twilight, eventually he did and climbed onto her back.

"Spike, where were you?" she asked.

"Oh, the, uh, door was stuck." it wasn't a complete lie.

"Hmm..." Twilight hummed suspiciously.

Pinkie showed up out of nowhere and started rambling about how excited she was. Then, the chorus of birds, conducted by Fluttershy, chirped an introductory fanfare as a single spotlight landed on the mayor of Ponyville, Mayor Mare. She begins her speech about Summer Sun Celebration as Twilight looks at the moon, Spike does the same and notices the craters that form the "Mare in the Moon" symbol disappeared.

Here it comes... he thought.

"—Princess Celestia!" Mayor Mare declares.

The curtains open to reveal that Princess Celestia was nowhere to be found.

"This can't be good." Twilight comments

Any minute now...

"Remain calm, everypony, there must be a reasonable explanation." Mayor Mare tries to reassure everyone.

"Ooh, ooh! I love guessing games! Is she hiding?" Pinkie chirped.

Rarity went to check behind the curtain and came back, "She's gone!"

Everyone in the audience gasped in shock and surprise.

"Ooooh, she's good." Pinkie says. "AHHH!"

Twilight, Spike, and everypony else looked up at the balcony at Pinkie's yelp and saw what appears to be midnight blue smoke.

"Oh, no..." Twilight muttered.

And...

The smoke merged to form a black alicorn mare with a blue helmet and breastplate, blue cat-like eyes, her mane translucent and wavy, and her Cutie Mark consisted of a crescent moon with purple blots around it, imitating the night sky.

"...Nightmare Moon!"

Now!

Spike let out an over-exaggerated sigh and pretended to pass out, he peeked one eye open as Nightmare Moon began to speak.

"Oh, my beloved subjects, it's been so long since I've seen your precious, little, sun-loving faces."

Everyone cowered before her, except for Rainbow Dash.

"What did you do with our princess!?" she demanded as she began to charge, only to be held by her tail from Applejack's teeth.

"Whoa there, nelly!" she mumbled through her clenched teeth.

Nightmare chortled, "What, am I not royal enough for you? Don't you know who I am?"

"Ooh, ooh! More guessing games!" Pinkie chimed in, "Um, Hokey Smokes! How bout, Queen Meanie!? No, Black Snooty, Black Snoot—!" she was stopped by Applejack shoving a cupcake in her mouth.

Nightmare then approached Fluttershy, who cowered away, "Does my crown no longer count now that I have been imprisoned for a thousand years?" she came up to Rarity next, "Did you not recall the legend? Did you not see the signs?"

"I did!" Nightmare turned to the sound of the voice, Twilight Sparkle, "And I know who you are! You're the Mare in the Moon, Nightmare Moon!"

Everyone gasped in shock, most, if not all, of them thinking, 'how could the legend be true?'

"Well, well, well, somepony who remembers me. Then you also know why I'm here."

"You're here to, to..." Twilight couldn't finish her sentence out of fear.

Nightmare cackled, "Remember this day, little ponies, for it was your last. From this moment forth, the night...will last...FOREVER! AH-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA!! AH-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA!!" she laughed as her mane swirled and thundered.

"Seize her!" Mayor Mare ordered the Royal Guard, "Only she knows where the princess is!"

The armored pegasi flew up to capture her, but Nightmare Moon had other plans.

"Stand back, you foals!" her eyes glowed white and her mane shot lightning at them while cackling.

She then turned into midnight blue mist and flew out of Town Hall, ponies running and screaming all the while, Rainbow was able to get free and chase after her.

"COME BACK HERE!" she demanded, but she stopped when Nightmare got away, "Nighttime...forever?" she was about to give up when she saw Twilight with Spike on her back running out of the building, "Where's she going?"

(stop music)

Spike pretended to stir from his fake sleep and mumbled, "We gotta stop Nightmare—!" then slumped his head on his pillow as Twilight put a blanket over him.

"You've been up all night, Spike, you are a baby dragon, after all." she left the room and shut off the light.

Peeking an eye to see if the coast was clear, and it was, Spike threw the blanket off and rushed to the door, opening it a crack and seeing books fly everywhere.

"Elements, Elements, Elements! Ugh! How can I stop Nightmare Moon without the Elements of Harmony!?"

Rainbow appeared and got in Twilight's face, "And just what ARE the Elements of Harmony!?" she backed up and Rainbow followed, "And how did you know about Nightmare Moon, huh!? Are you a spy—WHOA!"

Applejack bit on Rainbow's tail again and pulled her back, making her stop her interrogation, "Simmer down, Sally. She ain't no spy. But she sure knows what's goin' on, dontcha, Twilight?"

Spike noticed the six mares he knows and loves are in the library and quietly closed the door, "Okay, they're all here, now what?"

Now we act. Here.

A plume of darkness formed in front of Spike and cleared away, revealing a sword imbedded into the floor; the blade was shaped like a demon wing, the center having a blue cat-like eye, the handle is black, and the hilt ends in a sharp-looking point.

Spike walked over to it and pulled it out, giving it a few test swings to see how heavy it was, surprisingly, it was very light, "Whoa..."

One last thing; the rules of Castle Oblivion state that everything here is controlled by cards, even fighting, so with that said, here.

Another plume of darkness appeared and cleared to reveal a deck of red cards with numbers on them and the pictures are all of the sword Spike received, and a black, blank card.

Now you are ready. Go forth.

Just then, yet another light shined and died down to reveal yet another gold card, except the picture this time was of a black heart with a red X.

"It doesn't take a genius to figure out what this card goes to."

Then go. There is no time to lose.

Spike nodded and snuck out a window, he ran straight into the Everfree Forest, remembering that the Castle of the Royal Pony Sisters was in there with the Elements.

Spike ventured through the woods; nearly falling off the cliffs, sneaking past a sleeping manticore, walking through a bunch of creepy-looking trees, meeting a purple sea serpent at a river, who coiled his tail to create makeshift stepping stones for him to cross, saying that, "we reptiles need to stick together", finally, he came across a rickety bridge and crossed it with one end breaking off and falling.

"Oops." Spike said.

He continued on into the old, worn down castle and made it to the door of the throne room. There, the crown mark floated above and showed an illusionary image of the gold card with the picture of the black heart crossed out with a red X.

The cards you see shall be the key—

"Okay. Here goes nothing." Spike raised the card above his head and it disappeared in a flash with, predictably, the door opening. He summoned his sword and walked in.

~~Key to Truth~~

Spike walked up the stairs and found Nightmare Moon just standing there, as if she was waiting for him.

"I knew you would come here before long, little dragon." she said.

"Y-You know who I am, Nightmare Moon!?" Spike asked in surprise.

"It is clear that you have not been paying attention. I am but a figment of your memory."

"Hmph. Figures. This is the place where my friends vanquished you."

"But of course. After all, this is the dark side of your memory. At this point, you may only see those who exist in that same darkness..."

"You say that like I'm just like you." Spike then realized something, "No..."

"Yes...you gave in to the darkness once, gave in to your greed...be grateful you have somepony to keep you company. In your pursuit to change your mistakes, your heart is empty. Were it not for the darkness you bury beneath yourself, you would be all alone."

"That's sounding pretty good right about now." Spike spat out.

"Come, now. You became greedy on your birthday to sate your hidden hunger for darkness. You want beings like me here. Who else but I can grant you the darkness your heart secretly longs for?"

"There may've been a time or two that I gave in to my dragon instincts, one of them being with..." Spike looked away, "those three. I nearly gave in to the dark side of my dragon heart." Spike returned his gaze to Nightmare Moon, eyes burning with defiance, "But never again. You and your darkness have nothing to offer." Spike walked closer to her, "All I did those times was lose myself...empty myself! I'm finished with all that. If I'm stuck seeing monsters like you, monsters of the dark..." he gripped his sword tighter, "I'll take you out one by one."

Nightmare narrowed her gaze and took a few steps closer to the drake, "Is that so? Then you must not forget to destroy yourself last. For, like me, you are one of the dark."

Spike scoffed, "That's okay with me. I lost myself in greed and joined Garble's crew because my heart was weak. I hate that weakness. Makes me think I'm my own worst enemy." he swung his sword in anger, "And seeing ponies like you embrace the darkness just makes it worse!" then he point his sword at her, "Enough talk, Nightmare Moon."

She huffed, "So...you hate the darkness enough to fight it. Oh, the agony you must feel! Then let me end your pain, Spike the Dragon—end it forever...with the wondrous power of darkness!"

Nightmare Moon spread her wings and her mane swirled and flashed, Spike prepared himself and readied his battle stance.

The battle begun.

Nightmare made the first move and charged with her horn pointed at Spike, attempting to impale him, but he somersaulted out of her path and slashed one of her back legs. She let out a screech of pain and lit her horn, levitating Spike and throwing him against the wall, but he somehow acted quick enough to flip himself in midair and his feet made contact with the wall, pushing himself off with his legs, he rocketed toward Nightmare and started hacking away at her armor, which the sword had no trouble cutting through. Nightmare let out a pulse of darkness to push Spike back and allow her some breathing room, she then tried to blast him with a dark blue energy beam from her horn, but again, he somersaulted out the beam's way and charged forward, chopping off half of her helmet in one swing.

Nightmare was stunned long enough for Spike to launch a three hit combo with his blade. After she recovered she released another pulse of darkness and once again pushed him back. Her eyes glowed white and shot lightning from her ethereal mane, Spike ran out of the way and over to Nightmare.

With sword in claw, he prepared himself as he got closer and stabbed her in the heart, finishing her off.

"AAAAAHHHHHHH!!!" she screamed as light began to pour out of her.

When the light faded, all that remained of Nightmare Moon was shredded bits of her armor, and in the center of the mess was none other than the lunar princess herself, returned to normal as the darkness was purged from her system.

"Princess Luna?" Spike asked.

"Young dragon, I feel I should warn you, I understand that you wish to undo your mistakes, but keep this in mind; your memories are within the confines of your mind...and your mind is a dangerous place. Spike the Dragon, beware your memories. Mistakes are made to teach us lessons to better ourselves...but sometimes...there are some that are best forgotten...and left in the past where they belong. Just like...my transformation into Nightmare Moon."

"...Got it. Now go find your sister. I'm sure she misses you."

Luna nods, "Thank you."

She spreads her wings and flew out of one of the broken windows, leaving Spike behind to ponder her words.

"Yeah. Mistakes teach us to better ourselves...but I'd rather undo those mistakes and make sure not to make them again."

A light shone on the other side of the room and faded to reveal a set of double doors very similar to the ones in Castle Oblivion.

"Guess it's time to go."

Spike walked to doors, opened, and entered them. The doors shined again and disappeared, as if they never existed. A few seconds after they did, Twilight and her friends arrived with the Elements of Harmony.

"Alright, Nightmare Moon! Prepare to be vanquished by the Magic of Friendship—" Twilight stopped herself as she looked around, not seeing hide nor hair of the evil mare, "...Where did she go?"

~~Castle Oblivion (B12F Exit Hall)~~

Spike exited the doors and walked a ways forward before he heard the voice again.

Why shun your instincts, Spike?

He stops in his tracks and looks at the ceiling, "I know you heard me; every word I said to Nightmare Moon."

Your instincts are your strength. It's time you finally accepted that.

"What are you talking about?"

Stop resisting. Accept the fact that you're a dragon; a monster. You have no choice...

A burst of black flames appeared in front of Spike, nearly startling him. When they dissipated, a red scaled dragon with orange spines wearing a black coat standing much taller than Spike was revealed.

"If you're gonna join us again!"

Spike scowled, know fully well who he was, "Garble."

"Close, but no cigar."

"What?"

"You'll figure it out eventually."

"Whatever. All I know is that all you've been talking about are the instincts of a dragon. I have to guess that you wanna take me back...so you can play, 'Big, Bad Bully'."

"Hmph. Smart kid. I knew you'd be a perfect for our gang. Now, join us again, Spike-o—"

"You're psycho! No way!"

Spike summoned his sword charged Garble(?), but blew him back with a large breath of smoke.

"Did you really think you could hurt me? Last I checked, all you and your cowardly pony friends did was run away."

Spike grunted, "Well, excuse me...for being cowardly..."

Garble(?) walked towards the downed Spike, "You are cowardly. You need your dragon instincts. They'll give you the power of darkness, and that'll be all the strength you'll need."

"You are wrong!"

(stop music)

The two dragons looked up to where the voice came from and saw a midnight blue glimmer of light descending toward Spike.

"Princess Luna!?" Spike exclaimed.

That is right, young Spike. Always remember, you are not alone." Luna's light floated into Spike's chest where his heart is, "Listen carefully, the light will never give up on you. You will always find it, even in the deepest darkness."

"...You're right." Spike stood up and glared at Garble(?) defiantly, "I won't lose to the darkness. Not today, not tomorrow, not EVER."

Garble(?) laughed, "You think that mamby, pamby princess light can save you...from the might of a dragon?"

The two got into their battle stances and bared their teeth threateningly.

The battle begun.

Spike and Garble(?) stared each other down, neither showing any fear or weakness.

"I'll show you what a real dragon can do!" Garble(?) roared.

"C'mon then! Throw everything you got at me! I'll send it flying right back at you!" Spike yelled.

Garble(?)'s claw glowed in black flames tried to take a swipe at Spike, but he redirected the attack with his sword, causing Garble(?) to miss. He tried the same thing two more times, but was met with the same result; Spike redirecting the attack away from him.

"Haven't had enough? I wonder how much of my dragon might you can take, little kid." Garble(?) boasted.

"Just seeing how long you can go until you tire yourself out." Spike stated.

The two dragons charged each other and clashed into a deadlock; Spike with his sword, and Garble(?) with his claw. Then Spike pushed him back and shouted out a command.

"DRAGON'S IMPULSE!" with that, he spat a green fireball at Garble(?), which nearly singed him, then jumped and flipped in midair, delivering a strong downward strike with his sword powerful enough to generate a small shockwave.

Stumbling after that last attack, Garble(?) lowered his claws, standing normally and ending the battle.

Spike stood at the ready in case Garble(?) was planning some kind of trick, "What, is that all you got?"

Garble(?) scoffed, "Guess you're gonna be difficult about this. Fine then. See for yourself." he pulled out a small deck of light blue cards, "These are cards made from your memories. Go into the worlds they make and you'll see...trying to be a pony is pointless, especially when you're a dragon. You can't run from who you are."

"Tch. I'm not running. Give 'em. I'll enter those worlds and in the end, if I haven't given in to the darkness or my instincts...then I win."

Garble(?) smirked and flicked his wrist, throwing the cards to Spike, who caught them with ease.

"Got one more present for ya, Spikey."

Garble(?) roared into the sky and Spike felt something change inside him, something...unnatural. Spike gripped his chest and growled at him.

"What did you do!?" Spike demanded to know.

"I used my dragon hormones to hone the instincts you still have." Garble(?) simply said.

"You think that I'd rely on my instincts!?"

"It's your choice to use 'em. I'll be waiting, Spike...for you to learn that it's pointless to reject who you truly are!"

Garble(?) disappeared in a burst of black flames, leaving Spike all alone, who growled in anger at his words. He continued on and climbed the steps to the 11th basement floor.

~~Castle Oblivion (Unknown Room)~~

A lone pony with a blue coat, a curly, cornflower white mane, purple eyes, and wearing a black coat stood in a dark room pondering something, until a plume of darkness rose up from floor and dissipated to reveal a centaur with beady yellow eyes and black sclera, wearing the same black coat on its upper body.

"Don't I even get a 'hello', Kertix?" the pony asked.

Another plume of darkness appeared and out stepped a two-legged figure, who had yellow skin, big and poofy orange, yellow streaked hair, and rose colored eyes, wearing a black coat as well. She was walking towards them, and she wasn't in a good mood.

"What's going on down here, Xirtiex? I demand an explanation." she said.

"Hi to you too, Gaiadox." Xirtiex sighed, "Such a shame. The Organization used to be the rope that bound us together. Oh well."

"You...You DARE mock me!?"

"Let it go, Gaiadox." Kertix quickly cut her off, making her look away as he turned to the pony, "Xirtiex, tell us...what did you detect?"

Xirtiex tapped her horn a couple times, "Visitors. I picked up two auras in the castle's lowest basement. One of them was Nightmare Moon..."

"Don't be ridiculous, the tyrant is gone." Gaiadox interrupted, "She cannot control Luna anymore, thanks to the Elements."

"If you would let finish...the aura belonged to, not the real Nightmare Moon, but a very convincing double. But I can't say anymore about her since the double is no more. Our other visitor saw to that."

"And who is it?" Kertix asked.

Xirtiex put a hoof to her chin, "No idea...but the aura was similar to our leader's."

"And yet, not exactly the same, right?" Gaiadox asks, to which Xirtiex nodded, "Hmm...interesting."

"So...what do we do?"

Kertix bowed his head in thought, "...We wait. See what develops."

Author's Note

Hope this chapter makes up for the short Prologue